Location: Demon Palace, Ren's Private Chambers | Demon Realm
Time: Night, 27 Frostforge, 9938 AZI (Day 488 | Days since library explosion: 184)
Six months.
Six months since the Oracle Crystal stirred for the first time in ten thousand years. Six months since Ren d'Aar felt that first spark—faint, distant, like someone lighting a candle in a storm. Half a year of doubt and hope warring in his chest while he searched every corner of Doha for a sign, a clue, anything that would confirm what his beast insisted was true.
She's alive.
Maybe.
Possibly.
The Oracle had shown nothing clear. Just movement. Just potential. Not enough to be certain. Not enough to risk everything on what might be a desperate delusion.
So Ren meditated, as he'd done every night for centuries. Maintaining control. Keeping the beast caged. Holding onto hope without letting it consume him.
